Christopher Tappin handed over to US as he condemns ‘disgraceful’ extradition

Retired businessman Christopher Tappin has described his treatment as a ‘disgrace’ as he arrived at Heathrow to be handed over to US officials and extradited to face arms dealing charges.

Christopher Tappin, with his wife Elaine, gives a statement outside Heathrow police station where he was handed over to US officials (Pic: PA)

Mr Tappin, from Orpington, south-east London, faces up to 35 years in prison if convicted in the US of conspiring to sell components for Iranian missiles.

Speaking this morning, the 65-year-old conceded that if he was found guilty he may never return to Britain and accused prime minister David Cameron of failing to look after his rights.

Earlier he told the BBC: âI am 65 years old now. If I was to serve 35 years then I would be 100 by the time I came back.

âThere aren’t many people who reach 100 so I have to be philosophical about these things, that I may never come home to my own country again.â

He also referenced preacher Abu Qatada, whose deportation from the UK to Jordan was recently blocked, claiming: âI have no rights. Abu Qatada is walking the streets of London today and we cannot extradite him. He has more rights than I have.

âIf I was a terrorist I would not be going to America. I think it’s a shame, a disgrace.

âThe Conservative government, while in opposition, promised to reform the law and they failed to do so and they’ve let me down, they’ve let you down, they’ve let the whole country down.â

Mr Tappin is the latest Briton to lose an extradition battle with the US and his case has increased pressure on the Coalition government to review the current agreement between the two nations.

The retired businessman has denied attempting to sell batteries for surface-to-air missiles which were allegedly set to be shipped from the US to Iran, via the Netherlands.

Magistrates, the High Court and the European Court of Human Rights all rejected his appeals, however, paving the way for his extradition.